Horner's brutally honest reflection on Lawson's Red Bull tenure: 'Asked too much too soon'

Christian Horner has admitted that Red Bull's decision to demote Liam Lawson was 'horrible' but necessary, as the team had asked for 'too much too soon' from the New Zealander.

Horner: "Sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind"

Speaking to Sky Sports, the Brit discussed the tough decision at length. "Of course, it's horrible because you're taking away someone's dreams and aspirations, but sometimes you've got to be cruel to be kind, and I think that in this instance, this is not the end for Liam," the Red Bull team boss began.

"I was very clear with him, is that it's a sample of two races. I think that we've asked too much of you too soon."

After all, Lawson is yet to complete a full season in Formula 1 after having two short tenures with Red Bull's sister team in both 2023 and 2024. The Kiwi was catapulted to Red Bull over the more experienced Yuki Tsunoda, who now has taken the seat for the Japanese Grand Prix.

"I think with everything that we saw in Australia and China, you could see that it was really affecting Liam quite badly. We could have left it, and I think that Liam is a driver with talent. Maybe within half a season he would have got there, but we just don't have that amount of time," Horner stated.

With an extremely tight Formula 1 grid, Red Bull must continue to pick up points in order to stay in the constructor's battle. After two rounds, McLaren leads with 78 points, whilst Red Bull sits third on 36.

Horner admits: 'Lawson was struggling with it all'

Horner also explained that Red Bull team members were concerned with how the results were affecting Lawson.

"It was something that was very clear to the engineering side within the team, just how much Liam was struggling with it all, and you could see that weight upon his shoulders.

"The engineers were coming to me very concerned about it, and at the end of the day, I think it was the logical thing to do."

Max Verstappen appeared to be dissatisfied with how quickly Red Bull took the decision to axe Lawson. Horner has clarified the perspective of the four-time world champion, emphasising that the goal is to continue moving back to the front of the grid.

"I think he was surprised at the speed. But he could also see how much Liam was struggling," Horner stated.

"He knows where we need to improve on the car. He's been working really hard with the engineering team. We had a very good session with him last week where he's just very focused on improving the car, finding those final few tenths to get us really on terms with the McLarens ahead."

Read also

Marko clarifies Verstappen departure comments

Lawson concedes: Red Bull's decision to demote was a 'shock'

This article was written in collaboration with Cas van de Kleut